The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) was established under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 1998, and is based in the traditional Bastakiya quarter of Bur Dubai. Operating under the banner of “Open Doors, Open Minds” the SMCCU strives to remove barriers between people of different nationalities and raise awareness of the local culture, customs and religion of the United Arab Emirates.

With an overall objective to improve cross-cultural understanding, integration and communication between locals and foreigners across the UAE, we invite you to engage in any of our on-going activities to learn more about local culture in Dubai.

Whether you reside in the UAE or are here for as a tourist, you are invited to visit SMCCU located in a traditional wind tower house in the heart of Bastakiya in Bur Dubai, or Contact Us directly information. Office hours are Sunday through Thursday from 09.00h to 15.00h, and Saturday from 09.00h to 13.00h.